Harvey winked yfully at Alicia, a charming, slightly roguish smile spreading across his face. “I’lle check on youter, sweetie,” he said in a light, flirtatious tone, before turning to follow Charles out.


    Alicia’s lips twitched, her expression a mix of amusement and disbelief. ‘Who does this guy think he is? Sweetie? We’re not that close.’


    When Kevin saw Charles and Harvey leave, he turned to Alicia and said, “Miss Lawrence, this is Brooke O’Hara. She’s your personal caregiver, arranged to assist you throughout your hospital stay.”


    Alicia was taken aback. ‘Why did they hire a caregiver for me?’ She waved her hand dismissively. “I’ll be fine with just some medicine. I don’t need to stay in the hospital, and I certainly don’t need a caregiver.”


    But Kevin ignored her protests. He turned to Brooke and said, “Miss Lawrence has a stomach condition. You’re a professional. I believe you know how to care for her properly.”


    Brooke immediately broke into a warm, confident smile. “Don’t worry, sir,” she replied in a calm and reassuring tone. “I know exactly how to care for her.”


    Satisfied, Kevin gave a brief nod, then turned to Alicia. “Please rest well, Miss Lawrence. I’ll be going now.” With that, he quickly made his way toward the door.


    Outside the ward, Charles released Harvey’s arm, his gaze icy and unwavering. “Don’t even think about hitting on her,” he warned, his voice low and leaving no room for argument.


    “Huh? Who?” Harvey asked, feigning innocence as he rubbed his sore wrist. “Seriously, man,” he continued


    wrist.” with a pained grin, “why are you so strong? You nearly broke my


    “Don’t make me say it again,” Charles said, his voice dropping to a dangerous calm. His eyes narrowed slightly, leaving no doubt he meant every word. “Otherwise, I’ll send you straight home to take over the family


    business.”


    Kevin, who had just reached the door, froze in ce. ‘Is he really using the family business as a threat? But most people would fight tooth and nail for that chance. He didn’t dare step out, afraid he might hear more shocking things.


    Harvey raised an eyebrow. “Oh? So you’ve got your eye on that girl? I didn’t know you like the sweetheart type. I thought you preferred someone bold and straightforward like Isolde. So how far have you gotten? Let me tell you, with women, you’ve got to win their body before you win their heart. You-”


    “Shut up. Mind your own business,” Charles cut Harvey off, his eyes sharp with a serious warning. “In short, don’t mess with her. And this isn’t a suggestion.”


    Harvey held up his hands in a gesture of surrender. “Alright, alright. She’s yours. I won’ty a finger on her.” Charles had just withdrawn his icy stare when Harvey leaned in again with a yful grin. “I can still be her friend though, right?”


    Charles’s eyes turned cold again. Harvey coughed lightly and said, “Really, just friends. I won’t lead her astray.”


    Charles simply stared back in silence. Intimidated by that look, Harvey coughed again and quickly gave in. “Fine, fine. No friends either. Got it.”


    Only then did Charles speak, his tone low and his gaze still intense. “Can her stomach problem bepletely cured?” he asked, his expression serious but worried.


    Harvey’s eyebrows shot up. “Hold on. When you asked me earlier if chronic stomach issues could be fully cured, were you talking about this girl? No way. Have you been interested in her that long? Just who is she?”


    “Don’t ask questions that don’t concern you,” Charles said coldly, his voice dropping to a warning tone and his eyes narrowing slightly.


    “Okay,” Harvey replied, his tone noticeably t. “Like I said before, her stomach problem is due to irregr eating. The only real solution is careful nurturing over time. That’s the most effective approach. Sure, you could go for a stomach transnt, but nothing works better than the original, right?”


    Charles gave a slight nod and ended the conversation with Harvey. Seeing his chance, Kevin, who had been lingering by the door, finally stepped out. “Let’s head back,” Charles said to Kevin.


    ********


    As soon as both were in the car, Kevin started the engine without dy. Just then, his phone rang. He nced at the screen. It was Charles’s father, Samuel Yates. He stole a quick look at Charles in the rearview mirror before answering.


    “Why aren’t you back yet?” Samuel’s voice sounded annoyed. “Didn’t you leave thepany ages ago?”


    “We’re on the way now, sir. We ran into a small issue, but we’ll be there within 30 minutes,” Kevin replied.


    Samuel’s tone was sharp with disapproval. “You’re over an hourte today. As a driver, failing to keep to schedule is a failure in your duty. Do not let it happen again.” He hung up before Kevin could even respond.


    Kevin felt utterly helpless. I’m just a driver. How am I supposed to stop Mr. Yates from doing whatever he wants? It’s not like I can tell him what to do.’


    Noticing Kevin’s bitter expression, Charles spoke calmly but firmly. “From now on, you don’t need to take those kinds of calls. You’re my driver, my personal driver, not the family’s. Is that clear?”


    Kevin froze for a moment, then a relieved smile spread across his face as he nodded eagerly. “Understood, Mr. Yates.”


    The closer the car got to Yates Manor, the colder Charles’s expression became. Kevin, who often stole nces at Charles during these returns, had initially thought his boss was simply detached person, someone who wore the same stern face even whening home.


    But today, Kevin realized Charles did have expressions and had even smiled today. Yet the closer they got to home, the darker Charles’s mood seemed to be. ‘He must really hateing back,’ Kevin thought.


    Kevin knew a little about the situation. Charles Yates and his father Samuel Yates did not get along, and every return home put Charles in a foul mood.


    ‘People say money solves everything, but the Yates have more than enough, and Mr. Yates is still unhappy. Goes to show every family has its problems, rich or poor. Kevin reflected inwardly.


    After Charles and the others left, Alicia finally took a proper look around the ward. It was a private room with a single hospital bed that was soft and warm. <fn3c84> ???? ????s? ???????s ?? find·novel</fn3c84>


    Spacious at over 30 square meters, the room was furnished with a wardrobe, a coffee table, and a sofa. There was even a balcony with a small table and two matching chairs. A few magazines tucked neatly on the lower shelf of the table.


    This doesn’t feel like a hospital room at all. It’s more like a hotel suite, Alicia thought to herself. ‘Can I even afford a ce like this?’


    She got up from the bed. Then she turned to Brooke, her expression resolute but polite. “I’ve decided to check out now. How much do you charge per day? I’d like to settle the payment with you directly.”


    Brooke replied earnestly, “Miss Lawrence, Mr. Quinn has already paid me for a full week. He instructed me to care for you for seven days, and Dr. Johnson also rmended you stay here that long due to a mild gastric ulcer.”


    “Mr. Quinn, Alicia thought for a moment before realizing that must be Mr. Yates’s driver. ‘I don’t even know him. How can I let him pay for me?’


    She cleared her throat gently and tried to negotiate with Brooke. “Could you please return the payment to Mr. Quinn? I’ll pay you for two extra days instead, and you won’t need to care for me anymore. I’m checking out


    now.”


    “I’m sorry, Miss Lawrence, but I can’t do that,” Brooke exined patiently. “I signed a contract with Mr. Quinn. Doing as you ask would mean breaking that agreement. Besides, I’m responsible for making sure you remain here for the full week.” Alicia was left speechless.


    Feeling helpless, Alicia decided not to cause trouble for Brooke and agreed to stay for the time being. ‘Anyway, I can repay Mr. Quinnter, she thought.


    Not wanting to lie in bed all day, she got up and began looking around for her backpack so she could check on her painting.


    Brooke immediately stepped forward and said warmly, “Miss Lawrence, if you need anything at all, please allow me to get it for you. That’s what I’m here for.”


    “Where’s my backpack?” Alicia asked, ncing around the room with a slightly worried expression. “I had it with me when I came in.”


    “Right here,” Brooke replied. She opened the wardrobe and carefully took out the backpack, handing it to Alicia with a reassuring smile. “I made sure to keep it safe for you.”